BBC NEWS: Ancient church found on jail site in Israel

While not forgetting James' Ossuary!
This is a rather remarkable discovery!

Bono on Christianity

As a teenager growing up in Toronto in the early 80's I like to pride myself on being one of the first North American U2 fans. I remember hearing songs from October playing on CFNY FM and thinking I had found a music that made sense to me. Back in the days when U2 played the El Mocambo, not the ACC. What really owned me though was going to a local youth meeting and somebody mentioning that Bono was a Christian.Later on, my buddy's Dad ended up traveling with U2 as their photographer. Wow. That was the cool of cool, checking out photos of the guys that nobody else would ever see!I was hooked.But things changed over the years.The evident spirituality of those early songs gave over to something else... and by conviction I stopped listening. Bono wasn't moving me to worship the Lord anymore.Over the years, I have always kept one eye on U2 - sort of secretly hoping for some kind of revival or genuine conversion. So, I read an excerpt online from Rollingstone.com this week from the Bono interview. I include a few quotes below, but you can read the whole thing for yourself here. The language is not pretty, so don't read it if that is going to bother you. (I have edited my quotes.)

What is your religious belief today? What is your concept of God?
If I could put it simply, I would say that I believe there's a force of love and logic in the world, a force of love and logic behind the universe. And I believe in the poetic genius of a creator who would choose to express such unfathomable power as a child born in "straw poverty"; i.e., the story of Christ makes sense to me.
How does it make sense?
As an artist, I see the poetry of it. It's so brilliant. That this scale of creation, and the unfathomable universe, should describe itself in such vulnerability, as a child. That is mind-blowing to me. I guess that would make me a Christian. Although I don't use the label, because it is so very hard to live up to. I feel like I'm the worst example of it, so I just kinda keep my mouth shut.
Do you pray or have any religious practices?
I try to take time out of every day, in prayer and meditation. I feel as at home in a Catholic cathedral as in a revival tent. I also have enormous respect for my friends who are atheists, most of whom are, and the courage it takes not to believe.
How big an influence is the Bible on your songwriting? How much do you draw on its imagery, its ideas?
It sustains me.
As a belief, or as a literary thing?
As a belief. These are hard subjects to talk about because you can sound like such a #######. I'm the sort of character who's got to have an anchor. I want to be around immovable objects. I want to build my house on a rock, because even if the waters are not high around the house, I'm going to bring back a storm. I have that in me. So it's sort of underpinning for me.
I don't read it as a historical book. I don't read it as, "Well, that's good advice." I let it speak to me in other ways. They call it the rhema. It's a hard word to translate from Greek, but it sort of means it changes in the moment you're in. It seems to do that for me.
You're saying it's a living thing?
It's a plumb line for me. In the Scriptures, it is self-described as a clear pool that you can see yourself in, to see where you're at, if you're still enough. I'm writing a poem at the moment called "The Pilgrim and His Lack of Progress." I'm not sure I'm the best advertisement for this stuff.

Two thoughts:
1. No wonder the emergent church loves U2.
2. I am going to keep praying for Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry.

Challies Dot Com : New Site Design

The New Look!
Our friend Tim Challies has given his site a whole new look. I liked the old one just fine, but this new design is even better. Easier to navigate, lots of info right up front... and the same great content!
Check it out!

Memo to Worshipping Church Class!!!

To: All students in The Worshipping Church class

From: Pastor Paul Martin

Date: November 1, 2005

RE: Assignment due on Friday, November 4, 2005

Please forgive me for not getting this information to you at the end of our last class. I forgot to give you your question for the November 4 Class Report. I did leave a question by the door of the classroom where you were having your worship practicum... but not everyone saw that note.

Therefore, if you did not see that note, please answer the following question. If you have already completed the assignment with the first question that is great too.

Question:

Please comment on the benefits and the problems associated with “sameness” in worship. (i.e. what is good and what is bad about liturgy). Use the Scripture to defend your thoughts.

Happy Reformation Day! - Some Thoughts on Calvin...

We took a look at the life of Jean Cauvin (John Calvin) last night. Here is a sample from that message with a link to the full article at the bottom of this post. What an amazing life these Reformers lived! Would that we had half their courage and even a fourth of their passion for God and His glory!

Not long after the first edition [of the Institutes], Calvin determined to move to Strasbourg, a steady, safe and secure Protestant city. Military efforts at the time made the trip from Basel to Strasbourg a tricky trip and he was forced to take the long road there, through Geneva. Ah, providence!

Geneva was a city in a bit of turmoil – not Calvin’s style! Reformers from Bern had come to Geneva to evangelize and seen some success. The political leaders of the city were fed up with Rome and ready to find a way to break from the Mother Church. This led to them declaring themselves to be a Protestant city, even though most of the leaders and residents were not Protestant, nor had they a full understanding of what that meant! William Farel, the leader of the Bern missionaries, now found himself “at the helm of the religious life of the city and sorely lacking in personnel!”[1]

When Calvin arrived in Geneva for a “one night stay” word leaked to Farel that the author of the Institutes was in town. Farel immediately arranged a meeting and begged Calvin to stay and help lead the work – but Calvin wanted nothing to do with it. The city was in confusion, loyalties were not trustworthy, massive political change was in order, and the local church was in disarray. Calvin wanted to study and write and this was not, in his estimation, the proper setting for such a ministry.

Farel continued to plead with Calvin but to no avail. Finally, he left Calvin with this famous threat:

“May God condemn your repose, and the calm you seek for study, if before such a great need you withdraw and refuse your succor and help!”[2]

Calvin was cut to the quick! He wrote, “These words shocked and broke me and I desisted from the journey I had begun.” History would never be the same.

---

[1] Justo Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, Volume II: The Reformation to the Present Day (San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1985), 65.

[2] ibid.

For the entire article, go here...

Sheet Music (chord chart) for Ephesians 3:20-21

Since tomgee begged for some sheet music... I posted a file for one song that gets requested a fair bit.  You will find that here: http://www.gfcto.com/eph32021nowtohim.htm
A few people have asked how I got these songs recorded – it’s called connections!  My brother-in-law has a little recording studio down in his basement.  Last time we were in Indiana, we went down there and did them all in one take – voice and instrument.  He cleaned them up as good as you can clean up a bad guitarist and off-key vocalist, then emailed them up.  
The reason I asked him to do this for me was that I was getting requests from a few other churches for the songs.  I figured if people heard them and got the music for them they could sing it for themselves.
There.  Now you have full disclosure.  I do NOT have any secret dreams of being a rock star!  

New Worship Songs from Sovereign Grace Ministries

Wow! That was fast!
Our friends Bob Kauflin and company have put out another new CD full of great worship music. You can download and listen to samples here.
I love the way these guys do all of this! Free samples, free pdf downloads of lead sheets and chord sheets, and none of this: "The Lord gave me this song one night... and I will sue the pants off of any one of you that dares sing it without paying hefty royalties and giving credit to ME!"
They live their theology.

Now for a shameless plug: I have written some songs you can have for free, too. The big difference between me and the SGM guys though is that my songs are worth what you pay for them! You can find them here.
Soli Deo Gloria!

Getting Ready for Saturday Night (My 100th Post!)

Kirk Wellum used to be my friend... okay, he is still my friend, but I was pretty uncomfortable reading this post on Hockey as an Idol. You have to be Canadian to get it. The closest equivalent for an American would be the NFL, but even then, I am convinced it is not the same. For many of us poor Canucks, hockey is not only a demi-god, but a virtual definition of who we are as Canadians!
You should read the post and search your heart. I can't say it is much fun.

43 Thoughts on True Fellowship

Ever wondered what the will of God is for you in relating to brothers and sisters in the Lord?  Here are a few ideas!

1. Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.


2. Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another.


3. Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer


4. Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,


5. Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.


6. Romans 15:14 … [ be] able to instruct one another.


7. Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.


8. 1 Corinthians 11:33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—


9. 1 Corinthians 12:24 But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.


10. 1 Corinthians 16:20 Greet one another with a holy kiss.


11. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.


12. 2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.


13. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.


14. Galatians 5:14-15   For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.


15. Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.


16. Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.


17. Ephesians 4:2 …with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,


18. Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted , forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


19. Ephesians 5:19 …addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,


20. Ephesians 5:21 …submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.


21. Colossians 3:9 …Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices


22. Colossians 3:13 …bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.


23. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


24. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 …and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,


25. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 …Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,


26. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up , just as you are doing.


27. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.


28. Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.


29. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works , not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


30. James 4:11 … Do not speak evil against one another , brothers.


31. James 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.


32. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.


33. 1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,


34. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.


35. 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.


36. 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:


37. 1 Peter 5:5 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”


38. 1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.


39. 1 John 3:11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.


40. 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.


41. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.


42. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


43. 1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Christian Fellowship- Oh, How sweet - The Twin Towers of Faith!

T1 and T2 have a lovely Tozer quote on fellowship that reads as follows:

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow..."
Read the full quote here...